Cody Schoenmann

Poor performances and injury concerns have muddied the Twins' plan at the bullpen heading into the season. What is the unit's outlook as Opening Day nears? When pitchers and catchers reported to Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers this past Valentine's Day, the Twins were seen to have one of the most formidable bullpens in baseball. FanGraphs projected the Twins bullpen to be the second-best bullpen in MLB, generating 4.5 Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR), just behind the Philadelphia Phillies with 4.9. At the time, most projected the team's bullpen to be constructed of the following pitchers: Jhoan Durán - RHP Griffin Jax - RHP Brock Stewart - RHP Caleb Thielbar - LHP Justin Topa - RHP Steven Okert - LHP Jay Jackson - RHP Josh Staumont - RHP Durán was the closer, Jax, Stewart, and Thielbar were the primary set-up relievers, and Topa, Okert, Jackson, and Staumont would pilot the middle innings with the potential of becoming high-leverage relievers if others higher on the totem pole became injured or performed poorly. Fast forward a month later, and much of the optimism surrounding the 'pen remains. FanGraphs still projects the unit to generate the second most fWAR behind the Phillies. The Twins acquired a bevy of veteran arms intending to assemble one of (if not the) deepest bullpen in MLB. Yet, with a surplus of veteran depth comes a unique hurdle. The Twins acquired Okert and Jackson, knowing they no longer had minor league options, which effectively guaranteed them spots on the 26-man roster. Fellow recently acquired pitchers Topa and Staumont both have minor league options remaining (Topa has two; Staumont has one), yet either of them beginning the season at Triple-A was deemed unlikely, as the organization sought after both players in trade and free agency, respectively. That being the case, returning relievers Jorge Alcalá and Kody Funderburk were seen to be the primary short relief depth options at Triple-A alongside waiver claim Zack Weiss and non-roster invitees Daniel Duarte, Jeff Brigham, and Ronny Henriquez. The organization's plan was well thought out and applauded by most factions of the fanbase. Yet, the organization backed itself into a corner, purposely giving itself little room to maneuver. Seven of the Twins' eight bullpen spots were occupied, with the only wiggle room residing in whether the organization wanted to fill the eighth bullpen spot with Staumont or a stretch reliever in Cole Sands or Brent Headrick. Less than two weeks before the beginning of the 2024 regular season, it is still being determined whether the Twins want to hand the eighth and final bullpen spot to Staumont or a short reliever. However, recent injury updates and performances have shed light on what the team's bullpen construction will look like come March 28. Thielbar, the Twins' primary left-handed bullpen arm, has been dealing with hamstring issues since the beginning of camp. The 37-year-old Minnesota native had been ramping up earlier this month and recently threw live batting practice against infielder Kyle Farmer, as recorded by Twins Daily's Nick Nelson: Thielbar is behind schedule, and with Opening Day less than two weeks away, it will be difficult for the veteran southpaw to ramp up enough to partake in regular season game action when the Twins head for Kansas City. In response, the Twins will presumably need to hand one of its short relief spots to a reliever who was initially anticipated to be a Triple-A depth arm. Fellow left-handed reliever Funderburk would be the logical substitute. Yet, the 27-year-old has performed poorly this spring, evidenced by a 5.19 ERA over 8 2/3 innings pitched. The Dallas Baptist product has also displayed newfound control issues that weren't present in the 12 dominant innings he threw during his rookie campaign last season. With Funderburk not being a viable option, it appears the team will turn to Alcalá to take Thielbar's spot in the bullpen. Alcalá has been quantifiably great in his outings, generating the fourth-highest Stuff+ amongst pitchers who have thrown a minimum of 100 pitches this spring. The hard-throwing righty has also given up a mere 2.57 ERA while striking out seven hitters over seven innings pitched and 28 batters faced. Alcalá has long been viewed as a breakout candidate among Twins-faithful (ask Tom Froemming), but 2024 could be the season where the 28-year-old puts it all together and becomes the high-leverage reliever many thought he could become after his inspiring 2021 campaign. Performing well this spring has presumably given him the opportunity to achieve the lofty expectations placed upon him. With Alcalá likely replacing Thielbar in the bullpen, the team's eighth bullpen will ultimately come down to whether they prefer Staumont or a stretch reliever. The Twins' preference has gone unknown this spring, yet manager Rocco Baldelli shed light on which reliever the organization could bring to Kansas City. Baldelli told reporters on Saturday that "we need length in our bullpen." Baldelli continued, "Pete (Maki), in his last pitchers meeting, made the statement to the entire group: there might be a couple guys in this room who are likely gonna throw one inning, but everybody else who is a bullpen arm will have to throw more than one inning." Baldelli also noted that, "(the Twins) clearly cannot have six one-inning guys in the bullpen...You can't get through, forget 162 games; you can't get through 13 games in a row over a decent stretch early in the season without a bunch of guys going at least two, if not more than two innings out of your bullpen." Baldelli's quotes suggest the Twins could be leaning toward rostering a stretch reliever at the beginning of the season. As noted earlier, Sands or Headrick is the favorite to occupy that role. Headrick has outperformed Sands in Spring Training, though the team will likely prefer to roster a right-hand stretch arm, giving Sands the upper hand. Although Baldelli strongly suggested the team prioritizes rostering relievers who can be stretched out, short relief candidate Staumont has performed well this spring, illustrating a steady increase in velocity coming back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last August. Barring health, Durán, Jax, Stewart, Topa, Okert, and Jackson are locks to make the Opening Day bullpen. The Twins will likely enter the season with Okert being the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen. Alcalá will presumably take Thielbar's spot, and whether the team's decision-makers elect to bring Staumont or a stretch reliever to Kansas City on Opening Day will depend entirely on organizational preference. View full article

the Twins bullpen is substantially better right now than it was entering last season, so, barring health, I expect the number to be lower than the 17-19 range. Still, I expected non-roster invitees like Brigham, Duarte, Jensen, etc. to get some run this season.

You could add Randy Dobnak, Simeon Woods Richardson, and David Festa to the "Being used as a starter, but at least a few folks on TD...." section. I have seen them floated around as stretch relief or late-season short relief options, but I think it's (mostly) universally acknowledged they are going to be utilized as starters. Otherwise, you nailed it!

The Twins front office has acquired a surplus of relievers this offseason. Could this standout veteran non-roster invitee impact the team in unexpected ways? Image courtesy of Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports The 2023 MLB regular season was an unmitigated disaster for the New York Mets. Led by spendthrift billionaire team owner Steve Cohen and since-outcasted general manager Billy Eppler, the Mets spent an MLB-record estimated $354 million on payroll. Despite being top-heavy with star veteran players Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and standout rookie catcher Francisco Álvarez, the Mets lacked depth, lending to a catastrophic 75-87 fourth-place finish. The begrudged Mets cycled through many pitchers last season, though few made as many appearances as Jeff Brigham. Brigham, 32, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. The University of Washington product spent a season and a half in Los Angeles's minor-league system before being traded to the Miami Marlins alongside Kevin Guzman and Victor Araujo for starting pitcher Mat Latos and right-handed power bat Michael Morse. Brigham made his MLB debut with Miami in 2018 as a starter, generating a 6.06 ERA, 6.04 FIP, and -0.2 Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR) over 16 ⅓ innings pitched and 77 batters faced. Miami quickly converted the then-26-year-old into a reliever, and he has stayed in the bullpen since. Brigham went on to manufacture a 4.52 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 11.6% HR/FB rate, and 79-to-37 K/BB over 79 ⅔ innings pitched and 344 batters faced as a reliever for the Marlins from 2019 to 2022. On November 18th, 2022, Brigham was shipped to the Mets alongside Elieser Hernandez for pitching prospect Franklin Sánchez and a player to be named later or cash. The veteran right-handed hurler spent the beginning of last season at Triple-A Syracuse before getting called up on April 18th. Despite spending the year between Syracuse and the parent club, Brigham threw the fifth-most innings for a Mets reliever, finishing the season with 37 innings pitched.In those 37 frames, he generated a 5.26 ERA, 5.96 FIP, 19.6% HR/FB rate, and 42-to-18 K/BB while facing 160 batters. Unfortunately, Brigham's tenure with the Mets lasted only one season, as the team elected to non-tender him last November. Brigham spent the offseason shuffling through minor-league options before signing with the Twins in mid-February. The Twins' front office prioritized bringing in bullpen depth, evidenced by President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey and company signing, claiming, or trading for 16 relievers this offseason. However, Brigham's road to Minnesota is unique compared to most. In a piece written by the Star Tribune's Phil Miller, Brigham communicated that he chose the Twins despite having minor-league contract offers from other organizations due to his connection to former teammate Pablo López and a fondness for the organization's front office and player development staff, which showed him a blueprint on how they could save his dwindling career. The focus now is on improving his cutter as a secondary pitch to his four-seam fastball and helping him become a better pitch sequencer. Vice President of Baseball Operations Strategy and Innovations Josh Kalk, pitching coach Pete Maki, and the organization's coaching staff are guiding Brigham toward becoming a priority bullpen depth piece for the parent club early this upcoming season. Below is Brigham's pitch mix from 2023 with usage percentages: Sweeper (42.2%) Four-seam fastball (39.1%) Cutter (18.7%) Brigham is the epitome of a two-pitch pitcher, throwing his sweeper and four-seam fastball a combined 81.3% of the time last season. The Twins seek out pitchers who throw four-seam fastballs, with their main secondary pitch being some iteration of a sweeper or slider, explaining their interest in attaining Brigham's services in camp. The organization's coaching and player development staff has emphasized developing and refining pitchers' third and fourth pitches in their mix, thus explaining their desire to tinker with Brigham's cutter. Although the veteran right-handed hurler's fastball sits at 93.5 MPH (40th percentile outcome at Baseball Savant), he has a functional glove-side sweeper that's effective against same-handed hitters. Brigham and the Twins coaching staff are working to refine his cutter to make it effectively break in on left-handed hitters. The veteran reliever could be the team's next successful reclamation project if the two parties rectify his cutter while fortifying his already effective four-seam fastball and sweeper. Brigham has consistently strung together lackluster seasons in his cyclical career. Still, through electing to integrate himself into a pitching development program that has maximized past minor-league signings in Caleb Thielbar and Brock Stewart, there is reason to suspect he could become an idealized version of himself as a reliever. In three appearances this spring, Brigham has faced 13 batters, giving up one hit, walking two, and striking out one over three innings pitched. Brigham has performed well in a small sample size this spring, and if he can continue to build upon his first three outings, he could earn a spot in the team's bullpen mix in 2024. View full article

The photo used for this article is one of Jose Miranda. I agree that it can be hard identifying players when they aren't wearing jerseys and their eyes are covered by sunglasses lol. Thanks for enjoying the piece!

Having one of the most well-rounded 26-man rosters in MLB, the Minnesota Twins' most prominent camp competitions will exist on the margins. What positions are up for grabs, and which players would capitalize most from strong performances this spring? Image courtesy of William Parmeter Coming off a successful season highlighted by winning their first playoff game since 2004 and postseason series since 2002, the Twins enter spring training as an essentially complete squad--despite being restricted by significant payroll reductions. Derek Falvey and the rest of the front office were able to plug the most significant holes on the roster. The organization fortified its bullpen by acquiring reliable veteran relievers Josh Staumont, Justin Topa, Jay Jackson, and Steven Okert; added depth in the back of the starting rotation by trading for Anthony DeSclafani; and signed a switch-hitting first baseman who can function as a non-traditional platoon partner with the left-handed hitting Alex Kirilloff, in Carlos Santana. Finding a viable center field insurance policy who hits left-handed pitching well was the final move the Twins needed to make this offseason. Fittingly, the organization traded glove-first minor league infielder Noah Miller to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Rayne Doncon and outfielder Manuel Margot on Monday. Margot hits left-handed pitching well (109 career wRC+ over 877 plate appearances against them), and will serve as a viable backstop for Byron Buxton. After acquiring Margot, the Twins have no significant areas of need, meaning the camp competitions this year will exist on the margins. The team's eighth bullpen is up for grabs, but which reliever claims the spot will come down to the team's preference for player type rather than individual performance. That said, multiple players are fighting to keep their roles as primary depth options and avoid getting usurped on the organization's depth chart. Let's take a look at who needs to perform well this spring. Josh Staumont The battle for the Twins' final bullpen spot will come down to whether the organization prefers to roster a high-velocity, medium-leverage short reliever or a stretch reliever capable of throwing multiple innings in the event of poor performance or injury for one of the team's starters. That said, there is real competition for that job. The 30-year-old former Kansas City Royals reliever, Staumont, is the favorite to win it. Coming off thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last August, the hard-throwing righthander signed with the Twins in late December. The team landed the Azusa Pacific University product to a one-year, $950,000 contract. Barring further injury, Staumont (who has one minor league option year remaining) seemed like a lock to make the organization's Opening Day 26-man roster at the time of his signing, but the acquisitions of Topa, Jackson, and Okert have muddied his chances of making the 26-man roster out of camp. Staumont will compete with Zack Weiss, Kody Funderburk, and Jorge Alcalá. All four will feel firm pressure, but Staumont, being the favorite, has the most to lose. José Miranda Viewed as one of the organization's most promising young position players one year ago, the 73rd selection in the 2016 MLB Draft quickly became an afterthought. Earlier this offseason, Miranda was viewed as a dark horse pick to make the team's Opening Day 26-man roster, as a platoon partner with Kirilloff at first base. Yet, with the organization signing Santana to a one-year, $5.25-million contract less than one month ago, the 25-year-old is expected to begin this upcoming season in Triple-A. A shoulder injury probably contributed to his uninspiring .566 OPS and 57 wRC+ over 152 plate appearances last year, but even if he's truly healthy this spring, the doubts will linger. Miranda had surgery in early October to remove scar tissue from his right shoulder and rotator cuff. Though he has been taking fielding drills at third base this spring, the young corner infielder is not yet throwing across the diamond. His shoulder is still affecting his ability to field. Yet, he appears to be nearing full strength at the plate, as evidenced by him drilling a lineout at more than 100 MPH off the bat against the Minnesota Golden Gophers last Friday and hitting a home run off veteran left-handed hitter Caleb Thielbar in live batting practice last Wednesday. The recent acquisition of Margot means Miranda is no longer competing for the final spot on the bench. Assuming he begins the season at St. Paul, the Guaynabo, Puerto Rico product will compete for playing time at first base with fellow 40-man roster occupant Yunior Severino. The main goal for Miranda this spring and early this upcoming season is to prevent getting usurped by other promising young corner bats and take advantage of any MLB opportunities that present themselves. Simeon Woods Richardson Woods Richardson's 2023 campaign was a story of significant highs and disheartening lows. In early June, Woods Richardson sported a 7.38 ERA and 1.85 WHIP. Then, a switch flipped, and the 23-year-old yielded the lowest ERA, opponents' batting average, slugging average, and wOBA of all Triple-A starting pitchers from mid-June to mid-September. Despite finishing the season on a high note, Woods Richardson struggled with control, with a 61-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his three-and-a-half-month-long stretch of surface-level dominance. Woods Richardson didn't return to the majors after making one appearance on April 22 against the Washington Nationals as a stretch reliever. Yet, with the Twins losing significant starting pitching depth this offseason, the 23-year-old could make multiple appearances for the Twins as a starting pitcher this season. Woods Richardson displayed an increase in velocity and overall stuff in his first appearance this spring. Still, he will need to show sustained improvement of his hard, breaking, and offspeed pitches if he wants to stay ahead of emerging pitchers the likes of Matt Canterino, Brent Headrick, David Festa, and even Randy Dobnak on the organization's starting pitching depth chart. David Festa In 2022, Festa generated a 2.43 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings, and 2.70 walks per nine over 18 starts and 104 innings pitched between Low- and High-A. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old top prospect's counting stats regressed between Double- and Triple-A last season, as evidenced by a 4.19 ERA and 4.04 FIP. Control limitations marred Festa's breakout season. Despite struggling in the high minors, Festa remains a top-two pitching prospect in the Twins organization and projects to impact the parent club this upcoming season. Heading into camp, Festa is competing with Woods Richardson for the "seventh rotation spot" behind fifth starter DeSclafani and primary depth arm Louie Varland. As noted earlier, Woods Richardson impressed in his first appearance this spring, meaning Festa will need to follow suit if he wants to become part of the team's plans early this summer. Owning a 40-man roster spot and having made multiple MLB appearances, Woods Richardson will likely keep the upper hand as the Twins leave Fort Myers in late March. Still, a strong performance in camp would position him for an early look. Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Benefit Most From Performing Well This Spring: Niko Goodrum DaShawn Keirsey Daniel Duarte Ronny Henriquez Jeff Brigham The Twins have one of the most well-rounded rosters in MLB. The franchise has signed, drafted, or traded for and developed many young, cost-effective organizational depth arms and position players who could contribute to the team for future seasons. With the organization electing to act in a parsimonious manner this offseason, numerous young, cheap players are knocking on the door of the parent club and are at the forefront of the most prominent positional battles in camp. View full article

At the beginning of the offseason, there was debate over whether Minnesota Twins pitcher Louie Varland would be a starter or reliever in 2024. The Twins' acquisitions of a surplus of relievers has revealed the 26-year-old's expected role for this season. Can he thrive as a starter in his third season in MLB? Image courtesy of © Reid Glenn / USA TODAY NETWORK In 10 games as a starting pitcher last season, Louie Varland posted a 5.30 ERA and a 5.49 FIP. He struck out 54 batters and walked 16 over 241 total batters faced and 56 innings pitched. Despite posting nominally solid peripheral stats, the then-25-year-old's sophomore season ended prematurely. Varland's Achilles' heel as a starter was his inability to suppress home runs, evidenced by a 20.6% home run rate on fly balls over his 10 starts. Varland's tendency to allow the long ball, particularly on his four-seam fastball, led to a demotion to Triple-A St. Paul on June 18, after giving up five home runs over a string of three poor starts. After two and a half months away from the team, Varland returned to the big leagues as a reliever in September. In his return, the Concordia-St. Paul product pitched three innings, striking out two batters and walking one over 11 batters faced. Over the season's final month, Varland's strikeouts per nine jumped to 12.8, while sporting an above-average 0.8 walks per nine frames. Varland left 100 percent of inherited runners on base. In his seven appearances as a reliever, Varland gave up only two home runs, both in a game against the New York Mets on September 9. Varland's exceptional performance as a reliever was fueled by an increase in the velocity of his four-seam fastball and the refining of his secondary pitches, highlighted by a cutter in the low 90s. Varland's slider and changeup remained average as a reliever, but the implementation of his cutter assisted the now 26-year-old in forming a functional four-pitch mix that bodes well for starting. Varland recorded only two outs against the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card Round, meaning little can be gleaned from his postseason experience. Regardless, with the postseason in the past and veterans Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, and Tyler Mahle departing the organization this offseason, Varland looks to rejoin the starting rotation mix. At the beginning of the offseason, Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, and Caleb Thielbar were the four relievers guaranteed a spot in the Twins' 2024 bullpen. Uncertainty surrounded the last four spots in the bullpen which caused speculation that Varland (coming off a dominant month-long performance) could become a vital member of the team's bullpen mix in 2024. Quickly, the hands of those flaming the fire of Varland becoming a fixture in the 'pen were singed as the organization signed, claimed, or traded for relievers Josh Staumont, Ryan Jensen, Justin Topa, Daniel Duarte, Zack Weiss, Jay Jackson, and Steven Okert. 40-man roster spot inhabitants Staumont, Topa, Weiss, Jackson, Okert, and the returning Kody Funderburk and Jorge Alcalá will compete for the team's final bullpen spot, making clear Varland's role with the 2024 team. When pitchers and catchers reported to Fort Myers earlier this month, Varland was slated to compete with the recently acquired Anthony DeSclafani for the team's fifth rotation spot. In this circumstance, "compete" is a misnomer as the writing is on the wall for how Varland's 2024 campaign will begin. Varland has two minor-league options, and DeSclafani (a nine-year veteran) has none. Barring injury, the Twins Opening Day starting rotation will consist of Pablo López, Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack, and DeSclafani. With all five pitchers undergoing recent significant health or performance concerns, Varland could quickly join the team's starting rotation. In his first spring training appearance (Saturday), Varland topped out at 98.3 MPH on his four-seam fastball with an average of 95.7 MPH. The Twins' young hurler averaged 95.3 MPH on his fastball last season, so a 0.4 MPH uptick is minimal. Still, showing a marginal increase in average four-seam fastball velocity in late February is nothing to scoff at and should be a vehicle for increased optimism around the 26-year-old's upcoming season. Varland also showcased his cutter and sinker in the game, throwing them a combined 44 percent of the time. Despite decreasing velocity from last season on his secondary hard pitches, Varland's cutter and sinker had more vertical break, a trait the Twins pitching staff values highly. Expect Varland to use his fastball, cutter, and sinker high in the zone and often against either-handed hitters, with his changeup and slider working as glove and arm-side complements, respectively. At the beginning of the offseason, there was debate about whether Varland would be a starter or reliever for the Twins in 2024. Though both sides had merit in their arguments, the Twins acquiring a surplus of relievers has made it evident that the hard-throwing right-hander will begin the season as a starter. The team has sufficient veteran depth in the back-of-the-rotation in veterans Paddack and DeSclafani. Varland is presumably better than the aforementioned duo. Yet, having two minor league options, he will presumptively begin this season in Triple-A St. Paul as the organization's sixth starter. 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Join the discussion on Liam Hendriks, his recovery from cancer, and how the terrible disease affects us all. Image courtesy of © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Since middle school, my dream job has been baseball writer. I fantasized about having the privilege of sitting in the press box, traveling, and staying at nice hotels while getting paid to write about the team I loved, the Twins. [Ed. note: Nice hotels? Fantasized was a solid word choice.] Ten or so years later, that is not my life. This May, I will graduate with a degree in English Education, to become a middle or high school English teacher. I am not living my dream, but I have been allowed to write about the team I love for Twins Daily, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity handed to me by the site's owners and everyone else who keeps the site alive and thriving. I have written for Twins Daily since last May, and while I have published many pieces analyzing, critiquing, or praising the Twins, I have yet to talk about myself in detail. Then again, why would I? This site provides a sense of escapism and allows people to think about and discuss their favorite baseball team. However, if there was ever a day to be vulnerable, now is the time. Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox signed reliever Liam Hendriks to a two-year, $10-million contract, with a mutual option for 2026. As most of you know, Hendriks is a former Twin and a cancer survivor. In December of 2022, Hendriks was diagnosed with Stage-4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer. Hendriks found this out after going to the hospital to get tested, upon realizing a lymph node on the back of his neck had "swollen to the size of a walnut," and the ones under his jaw "jutted out and fattened his face." Now, you may ask yourself, "What does Hendriks having cancer have to do with Cody?" Well, despite not being Australian or able to throw a fastball at nearly 100 MPH, I, too, am a cancer survivor. Roughly 16 years before Hendriks's diagnosis, I was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, at the age of six. Like Hendriks, my cancer diagnosis was foreshadowed by something feeling off. Typically, six-year-olds are full of energy and spend their free time outside participating in leisurely activities like going to the park, riding their bikes, swimming, and playing sports. I used to be like that--until the Spring of 2006. Instead of coming home from school and wanting to go outside and have fun, I would walk over to the couch and fall asleep until it was time to have dinner. After dinner, I would go back to the couch and watch TV until I went to bed. I lived my life like this for months while complaining about a constant dull pain present in my upper left leg. The pain slowly got worse and worse, and I stayed inactive until my proactive mother took me to get evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, seeking answers on what was wrong with me. After noting my constant leg pain, the doctors ordered I get an X-ray of my left leg to see if there was an undiagnosed injury of some sort. There wasn't an injury, but something much more dread-inducing: a small lump attached to my femur. Mind you, I was six years old, so I had no idea what was happening. Yet, the reality that something was wrong quickly set in with my parents. Days later, my parents received a phone call confirming that the mysterious lump was, in fact, a tumor. The following year and a half of my life consisted of me undergoing 14 rounds of chemotherapy and a barrage of surgeries, which included the insertion of my chemo port and the removal of the tumor. After enduring immense damage (both physically and mentally) for two years, doctors gave my parents and me the best news we had heard in years: I was officially cancer-free. Although the initial wave of cathartic relief and celebration was incredible, the mood quickly sobered upon learning I needed my chemo port removed. For those who don't know, a chemo tube is a thin, implantable silicon tube guided into a large vein above the right side of the heart, called the superior vena cava. I will spare you the rest of the details, but it was harrowing to have it put in, and I repress the memory of how it felt as best I can. Unfortunately, though, removing the port wasn't pleasant either, as the surgeon was tasked with dissecting the port catheter and reservoir from my heart valve and closing the insertion site, tunnel, and wound. If you have gotten this far, you probably wonder, "Why is he telling this specific story?" Well, here's the payoff. As the anesthesia wore off and I slowly regained consciousness from the indescribably powerful post-surgery fog, I remember fragments of a Twins game being broadcast on the TV in my hospital room. I don't remember the game's outcome, but one hyperspecific image from that day has remained in my mind: Joe Crede fielding a groundball at third base. Yes, of all players, Crede and the number 24 stitched to his white pinstriped home jersey were permanently deposited into my memory bank. I don't understand why, and I never will, but since that day, Crede and the number 24 have acted as a good omen for me, symbolizing new beginnings and the eradication of a life-threatening illness. Since that day, I am fortunate enough to have remained cancer-free. The pediatric hematology/oncology team at Mayo Clinic saved my leg and, more importantly, my life, allowing me to play baseball throughout high school and write about the Twins today. Baseball has been a saving grace, as it is the outlet I lean on most to help me combat the PTSD, anxiety, and overall existential dread I undergo as a result of the treatment I received and the fear of cancer returning one day. Seeing Hendriks return to pitch for the Chicago White Sox late last May and experiencing the absolute joy he and his family felt as he threw his first pitch was a wonderful experience. To see him get the opportunity to continue to do what he loves with Boston for the next two seasons was a victory for survivors everywhere. View full article

Despite early career success, the Twins' 27-year-old starting pitcher ran into significant hurdles last season. Can he make the necessary adjustments to become a reliable frontline starting pitcher in 2024? Image courtesy of Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports In his recent "Baseball Bits" video titled "The Only Thing That Matters in Baseball," YouTuber Foolish Bailey highlighted how meaningful counts are in dictating the outcome of an at-bat. When starting ahead 1-0 in a count last season, hitters league-wide generated an .826 OPS. In contrast, when falling behind 0-1, hitters saw their production drop exponentially, manufacturing a lackluster .619 OPS. As the video continues, Bailey illustrates how dire counts are to both hitters and pitchers before highlighting which starting pitchers were best at getting ahead in counts in 2023. Atop the leaderboard, unsurprisingly, were some of the best starting pitchers in MLB: Max Scherzer, Spencer Strider, and George Kirby. Scroll down slightly, and one will find Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan ranked sixth, beginning 56.6% of at-bats with a first-pitch strike. The primary reason Ryan and other pitchers on this list could generate first-pitch strikes over half the time was because they threw their fastballs in the zone early and often. Specifically, Ryan threw a fastball on the first pitch of an at-bat 58.4% of the time Getting ahead in the count doesn't guarantee success, evidenced by Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon ranking second on the list by beginning 58.8% of at-bats with a first-pitch strike in 2023 despite earning an uninspiring 4.84 ERA and 4.61 FIP over 154 ⅓ innings pitched last season. In the case of Ryan, though, it has been a marker of success for the entirety of his young career. Noted in Bailey's video, Ryan ranks third in MLB in winning plate appearances with the count advantage since 2020, getting hitters out at a 41.4% clip. Ryan's low arm angle is the driving force in getting his low-velocity fastball (23rd percentile on Baseball Savant) to make hitters swing and miss early and often in counts. The 27-year-old used his low arm slot to forge a 16.8% swinging strike rate (a 97th percentile outcome last season) while throwing 65% of his pitches high of the batter (92nd percentile) regardless of whether they were located in the zone. Ryan and the Twins' coaching staff know what he does well, and while he has justifiably used this approach to maximize early career success, there is reason to suspect he is nearing a crossroads in his career. Ryan straining his left groin before starting against the Atlanta Braves played a significant role in his decline in performance from June 27th through August 2nd. Still, a more significant concern follows the right-hander. In 2023, hitters swung at pitches from Ryan more than any other starting pitcher in MLB. The primary cause of this development was that hitters were unafraid of his lackluster secondary pitches, which consisted of an average splitter and a sweeper that often landed far outside the zone. Able to disregard his offspeed pitches, hitters could confidently sit on fastballs high in the zone, knowing he would throw it 57% of the time. Here are Ryan's numbers before and after straining his left groin: 4/2 - 6/22: 93 2/3 innings pitched (IP), 2.98 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 9.61 strikeouts per nine (K/9), 1.44 walks per nine (BB/9), 71.2 left on base percentage (LOB%), 6.7 home run to fly ball ratio (HR/FB) 8/26 - 9/29: 35 2/3 IP, 4.79 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 11.36 K/9, 2.27 BB/9, 75.3 LOB%, 16.3% HR/FB Judging Ryan's performance when he was injured is unfair. It would provide an inaccurate representation of the pitcher he is, but there are grounds to be concerned about his drop in performance before and after his injured list stint. Beyond his counting statistics (ERA and FIP) jumping two-fold, the most concerning development in the former Tampa Bay Rays' prospects' performance from August 26th through September 29th is the egregious spike in his home run-to-fly ball ratio. In seven games started in that timeframe, Ryan gave up a home run in five of them, including three at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies in his final start of the season. Assuming Ryan has fully recovered from the left groin strain that was the leading cause in pitfalling to an 8.63 ERA, 8.08 FIP, and 32.1% home run to fly ball rate from June 27th through August 2nd, there is no reason to suspect he will perform that poorly. Ryan is a good pitcher who deserves to be in an MLB rotation, and Twins decision-makers agree. This past Saturday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters at Fort Myers that "Joe showed us pretty much everything last year. The highs were very high, and the lows were what they are are, but Joe's proven himself as a good Major League starting pitcher." The team feels good about handing Ryan the ball every fifth day, but Baldelli acknowledged he needs to make adjustments, stating, "he knows that he can't go out there every start, or have a run of starts, where he's just relying on his fastball. He's gonna have to use those other pitches, and those pitches are good. They have real value in getting hitters out; it's learning how to use them and really the consistency." Baldelli further emphasized Ryan's consistency: "So, I think the consistency of his pitches needs to get better, and when he does that, he can go from good to great if he's able to do that." As Baldelli noted, the most significant adjustment Ryan needs to make to go from good to great is improving his offspeed pitches and becoming less reliant on his fastball. The first step Ryan could take in achieving this milestone is fine-tuning his adequate splitter. In 2023, Ryan got hitters to whiff on his splitter 21.8% of the time, which is fine, but the results showed his splitter profiles better as a third pitch instead of a main complement to his elite fastball. Last season, Ryan tried using a sweeper and slider as third pitches in his repertoire, but neither yielded good results as they were often too far out of the zone for hitters to chase. Ryan could be incentivized to fine-tune his sweeper in an attempt to use it again next season. Still, a shift to a slower, more compact gyro slider could benefit his velocity-deficient profile that relies on deception and a unique arm slot. Regardless, Ryan showing he has fine-tuned his splitter and added another viable secondary pitch that could directly complement his elite fastball would be the best outcome for the California native heading into 2024. Ryan has reached a crossroads in his young career. This upcoming season will play a significant role in deciding whether he is a frontline starting pitcher who can co-exist alongside Pablo López and Bailey Ober or if he is merely a steady back-of-the-rotation arm with hindrances that block him from becoming the actualized pitcher fans and pundits thought he could be early in his career. What is your confidence level in Joe Ryan heading into the 2024 season? Will he solidify himself as a frontline starter or further regress to the back of the rotation? Sound off in the comments! View full article

As someone who lives in Milwaukee, I second that you should check out the milwaukee art museum. Also, third ward, the milwaukee public market, the area around fiserv forum, north point lighthouse, UWM and Marquette's campuses, grant park in south milwaukee, and shorewood and bay view are also really cool places to visit.

In 2023, the Minnesota Twins' eighth bullpen spot was occupied primarily by a young stretch reliever (usually Cole Sands or Josh Winder) who could be used in an emergency. Should the Twins have a different type of reliever occupy their last bullpen spot in 2024? Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports Entering the 2023 season, the Twins front office elected to part ways with talented veteran short relievers Danny Coulombe and Jeff Hoffman in the name of rostering a "stretch reliever" who could pitch multiple innings at a time, in case the starting pitcher performed poorly or became injured early in their start. Relatively inexperienced pitchers Cole Sands, Josh Winder, and Brent Headrick were the primary occupants of the stretch reliever role last season, yet the three appeared in just 48 total games. For perspective, Jorge López, who underwent an extended absence from the team before being traded to the Miami Marlins in late July, appeared in 37 games. The Twins bullpen ranked 21st in MLB in Wins Above Replacement at FanGraphs (fWAR), and although it was wise for the organization to roster a "break glass in case of emergency" pitcher in theory, keeping a viable short reliever like Coulombe or Hoffman to fortify the pen would have been in the team's best interest. With hindsight (and a greater understanding of the unavailing nature of the role they envisioned), will the Twins look to use their eighth bullpen spot differently in 2024? A definitive answer won't emerge until late March, but we have some inklings. Since the beginning of the offseason, the Twins have signed, claimed, or traded for relievers Josh Staumont, Ryan Jensen, Justin Topa, Daniel Duarte, Zack Weiss, Jay Jackson, and Steven Okert. Anthony DeSclafani (acquired alongside Topa from the Seattle Mariners) and Louie Varland could also fulfill short relief roles if necessary. Right now, though, the two are slated to compete for the team's fifth rotation spot. Caleb Thielbar, Brock Stewart, and the previously mentioned Jackson and Okert are out of options, effectively guaranteeing them spots on the 26-man roster out of Spring Training. The team could option Jhoan Durán or Griffin Jax, but that is an obscene notion even to consider. Durán, Jax, Thielbar, Stewart, Jackson and Okert makes six, leaving two unoccupied spots in the bullpen. Fellow recently acquired reliever Topa appeared to be a sure bet, but with multiple viable MLB relievers joining the mix since the team initially acquired the 32-year-old, his spot on the Opening Day roster has become less of a certainty. Topa has two minor-league options available, so if he struggles in camp, he could be optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to begin the season. Yet, he should be considered the favorite to earn the seventh bullpen spot. Considering the intricacies and dynamic variables at hand, who earns the eighth spot in the bullpen depends on whether the organization prefers to keep a stretch reliever or short reliever with dominant upside. Case For a Stretch Reliever The primary reason Minnesota would elect to roster a stretch reliever over a short reliever is because the former can absorb innings in losses, which was why they elected to keep one most of last season. Manager Rocco Baldelli hates "chasing wins" with his better relievers like Durán or Stewart when the team is trailing. So, instead of wasting his high-leverage bullpen arms on low-leverage situations, he would attempt a comeback with a marginal pitcher like Winder or Headrick on the mound. A secondary reason why the Twins value keeping a stretch reliever on the 26-man roster is that it provides Baldelli a reliable piggyback option if he needs to pull a starter early. In application, this situation would likely arise in games where Chris Paddack starts. Coming off missing 18 months from his second Tommy John surgery, Paddack must be sheltered from overuse early in the season. Also, Paddack has a thin repertoire, meaning the risk of a start imploding rises when facing the opposing team's lineup a second or third time. Last season's starting rotation was much more formidable than the current construction of this year's staff, meaning a stretch reliever was less necessary. Yet, entering the upcoming season with Paddack, DeSclafani, and Varland set to pitch a significant number of innings next season, rostering a stretch reliever becomes a greater necessity. Here are the Twins' stretch reliever candidates who are currently on the 40-man roster: Sands Winder Headrick Simeon Woods Richardson Matt Canterino Rostering a stretch reliever is less about the specific pitcher who inhabits the role and more about simply having someone who can mop up innings. The five names here could be viewed as an interchangeable taxi squad that rotates between Triple-A and the parent club, depending on who is fresh at any given moment. Though this is the case, Sands, Winder, and Headrick have the most experience operating as stretch relievers, while Woods Richardson and Canterino provide more upside. Having an assortment of arms who could interchangeably eat up innings early on would be a savvy decision for the Twins to make, especially at the beginning of a 162-game regular season. Case for a Short Reliever The central argument for the Twins rostering a short reliever with their eighth bullpen spot is upside. As constructed, the short relievers who would compete for the final spot in the Twins 'pen are: Staumont Weiss Kody Funderburk Jorge Alcalá If Staumont can prove he's healthy after undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last August, the former Royals reliever would be the favorite to beat out Funderburk, Alcalá, and Weiss in a camp competition. Regardless of which short reliever performs best in camp, though, their chances will all be subject to whether the team's decision-makers prefer to roster a high-strikeout, high-intensity short reliever or a stretch reliever capable of pitching multiple innings in a pinch. While having a stretch reliever on the roster at the beginning of the season would be wise and convenient, the Twins could be doing themselves a disservice. Yes, they could find themselves needing someone to navigate four innings after Paddack imploded in the second inning of a start in early April, and it would be nice to have a stretch reliever rostered at that time. At the same time, the team could find itself needing to get out of a jam in the 11th inning of an extra-innings game they need to win, and their only option is someone like Headrick. There are two sides to this coin, and both options make sense. With the Twins having fewer dependable, veteran starting pitchers than last season, they are highly incentivized to roster someone who could eat up multiple innings. Yet, they have the opportunity to create one of the most formidable bullpens in baseball if they elect to leave camp with a high-upside arm like Staumont or Funderburk. While they could easily flip between having a stretch reliever one day and a short reliever the next, it would be in the team's best interest not to shy away from making their bullpen a real strength. The way to do that is to keep a high-strikeout, high-intensity reliever. Which type of arm do you favor in filling out the bottom end of the Twins' reliever hierarchy? Who's your favorite arm for that job, entering camp? Make your voice heard below. View full article

I can’t recommend Aftersun enough. It’s atop my favorite A24 films alongside Midsommar, Beau is Afraid, and The Lighthouse.

Join the discussion on today's introspective Table Setter. Image courtesy of © D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports (Warning: Minor Film Spoilers) Last August, I watched Charlotte Wells's film Aftersun for the first time. For those unaware, Aftersun (in the simplest sense) is a 2022 coming-of-age drama film about a father (played by the wonderful Paul Mescal) and his (played by the marvelous Frankie Corio) on holiday in Turkey in the late '90s. Mescal's character lives a significant distance away from his daughter, and the vacation is one of the few times they will see each other all year. I won't spoil the plot any further, but no film has ever explored memory, depression, and the relationship between a parent and their child the way Aftersun has, making it the most gut-wrenching film I've seen. This particular out-of-context scene still tears me apart: Before Aftersun, the film that previously held the title of "the saddest film Cody's ever seen" was Charlie Kaufman and Michael Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The film follows Clementine (Kate Winslet) as she undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her ex-boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey) from her mind. Joel finds out Clementine underwent the procedure and decides to undergo it himself, in an act of spite and anger. The film then slowly dissolves into a tale of (once again) memories, love, and yearning for what was and what could have been. This other particular out-of-context scene tore me apart: For some reason, movies that explore memory through an artistic lens strike a deep chord with me. I would say it's a quarter-life crisis, but I've always been like this. I can't pinpoint it, but I think it's because I can't process the constant change around me, so I hold on to what was. But even those memories become fragmented as I slowly drift away from the moment that actually was. It's hard to confront these realities, but films like Aftersun and Eternal Sunshine make me face them head-on, which I think is healthy. What isn't healthy is that I've closely followed the Twins since 2017, the season Ervin Santana pitched like an ace, and they got blown out in a Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium. Since then, I have experienced much heartbreak, but no singular moment in Twins history has affected me as profoundly as what occurred in the 10th inning of a game against the Athletics in Oakland, California, on April 21, 2021. The moment makes me so upset I can't talk about it, so here's a video: Often, people uncover old wounds in the name of expurgating repressed negative emotions, but there is a specific reason why I am mentioning this game. Hypothetically, if I could undergo the same procedure Clementine and Joel underwent in Eternal Sunshine to erase one Twins-centric memory from my mind, it would be this game and, more specifically, this moment. I hadn't been this angry about a sporting event since Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles picked apart the Vikings in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. I don't know what it was, but watching Luis Arráez soar the ball over Willians Astudillo's head brought all of the repressed anger, fear, and anxiety from the pandemic (that was still going on, mind you) to a head, causing me to have a meltdown. Weirdly, my response was to drive to the nearest Wendy's and order a Baconator with fries, a Sprite, and ketchup packets. [Ed. note: This doesn't seem all that weird to me; it's called self-destruction, and it's the American way.] I ate the Baconator silently while trying to calm myself down as I sat in a mostly deserted parking lot in Onalaska, Wisconsin. I thought solitude would come in the form of a Wendy's Baconator, which is weird because it's like my third- or fourth-favorite fast food burger. People often say time heals all wounds, but it doesn't. It can work as a Band-Aid, yes, but it doesn't heal. Sadly, we don't have the privilege of undergoing surgery that rescues us from our most stinging wounds, particularly those caused by the Twins. The closest thing we have in benevolent capitalist withholding of the unkillable blackouts, saving some of us from experiencing those nightmares in the first place. If we could perform those deletions, though, would you? If so, which Twins-centric memory would you have removed from your memory bank? Join the discussion and comment below. View full article

Today, we look at the newest Twins top prospect. Find out what made the 20-year-old outfielder so enticing that we were forced to wedge him into our Twins Daily prospect rankings at such a high, unique place. Image courtesy of Everett Aqua Sox New beginnings! Scary to some, enticing to others, few phenomenae are stronger than novelty. Acquired alongside fellow prospect Darren Bowen and veteran pitchers Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa in the trade that sent dearly departed second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners, this 20-year-old outfield prospect has earned the third-and-a-half (is that right?) spot in our 2024 top prospect rankings. Gabriel Gonzalez Age: 20 (DOB: 01/04/2004) 2023 Stats (A, A+): 535 PA, .298/.361/.476, 142 H, 23 2B, 18 HR, 10 SB, 116 wRC+ ETA: 2026 2023 Ranking: NR National Top 100 Rankings BA: NR | MLB: 79 | ATH: 96 | BP: NR What's to Like Signed as a 17-year-old from Venezuela for $1.3 million, González joined the Mariners organization on Feb. 5, 2021. Upon signing, González began his professional career with the organization's Dominican Summer League club, hitting .287/.371/.521 with seven home runs, a 9.5% walk rate, 16.3% strikeout rate, .234 isolated power (ISO), and 141 wRC+ over 221 plate appearances. Since his debut season, "El Dron" has progressed from the Florida Complex team to High-A in less than two years. Although the now-20-year-old was likely pushed too quickly through the Mariners system (you'll find out why later), he has been able to excel at nearly every level. Most notably, González thrived last season with the Mariners' Low-A team, showing a knack for making contact at a significant rate. Over 485 combined plate appearances with the Low-A Modesto Nuts, González generated an impressive 13.8% strikeout rate. His refined approach at the plate helped him thrive in Low-A, hitting .348/.403/.530 with 11 home runs and 24 doubles in his time there. González has the profile of a power-hitting corner outfielder, and while his home run numbers don't pop off the page, there is reason to suspect he could top 20 home runs his first season in the Twins' system. Although González is listed as 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, he is more filled out than those outdated measurements would insinuate. Defensively, he will be limited to a corner outfield spot--if he doesn't undergo a complete transition to becoming a first base/designated hitter prototype. Although sliding to a position lower on the defensive spectrum is a negative occurrence, González's elite hand-eye coordination and overall hitting profile suggest he could seamlessly transform into a high-power, high-walk-rate slugger capable of carrying the weight of deficient defensive value. Evidently, González's calling card is his bat, so don't be surprised if he can unlock a new gear with the Twins' player development staff, who are known to accentuate hitting prospects' strengths. What's Left to Work On González swings at a high volume of pitches, even outside the zone. Although he could mask this shortcoming in lower minor-league levels, High-A pitchers exploited his desire to swing the bat. With the High-A Everett AquaSox, González's slash line dropped to an uninspiring .215/.290/.387. González also struggles to generate walks, as evidenced by an insipid 5.1% walk rate. His tendency to swing at pitches outside the zone is the primary knock on his offensive profile and should be monitored as he enters the Twins' pipeline. Twins Daily's Jamie Cameron noted in his post-trade breakdown of González that the former Seattle prospect has "relatively mild" platoon splits. Evidenced by his .916 OPS against left-handed pitchers in the minors, González hits opposite-handed pitchers well. In contrast, he generated an .803 OPS against right-handed pitchers. A 113-point difference is significant, but with one number being elite and the other above-average, there is no genuine concern that he will be limited to being a platoon bat if he reaches MLB. Finally, as alluded to earlier, González (a below-average runner) is limited defensively, meaning he will likely continue to move down the defensive spectrum. Regardless, with González being only 20 and maxing out at High-A last season, nothing is a sure thing. He could easily surprise us and maintain the speed and glove to stay in the outfield, or he might need to transition to first base. What's Next González will likely begin his first Twins season in High-A with the Cedar Rapid Kernels, playing right field and hitting in the heart of the Kernels' order alongside fellow prospects Kala'i Rosario, Luke Keaschall, and Andrew Cossetti. It is too early to know what adjustments the Twins will have Cedar Rapids coaches help González make, but it is fair to assume they will attempt to emphasize having him swing more selectively. The Twins highly value hitting the ball hard and in the air, so they will undoubtedly have González lean into his plus raw power tool to maximize his ability to hit the ball over the fence. Could he eventually become part of a trade package for a starting pitcher like Mitch Keller or Jesús Luzardo? We shall see, but for now, he is one of the best position player prospects in the Twins minor league system. What do you think of González and his future? Will he continue as an outfielder or transition into a first baseman? Which of his glows and areas of growth intrigue you the most? Was rating him as the Twins' third-and-a-half best prospect fair? How do you think his first season with Twins player development will go? Join the discussion and comment below. View full article

Join us on your coffee break for thoughts on Bobby Witt Jr.'s extension, whether a similar deal would make sense for Royce Lewis, and the state of the AL Central, on today's gloomy yet reflective table setter. Image courtesy of © Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports At 12:06 PM Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Kansas City Royals and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. have agreed on an 11-year, $288.7-million extension, including player opt-outs in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and 10th years. Witt's deal also includes a club option after the 11th season that would tack on an extra three years and $89 million, meaning the deal could max out at 14 years and $377 million. Admittedly, I love this move for Witt and the Royals, and earlier this offseason, I predicted the 23-year-old phenom would win the AL MVP award this upcoming season. (I'm not self-promoting; I just want to show that I'm not lying.) Will Witt's extension and the immense number of signings and trades the Royals have executed this offseason propel them ahead of the Twins, Guardians, or even the Tigers in the AL Central standings in 2024? Probably not, but you can't knock them for trying. You can, on the other hand, knock them for making flawed moves. Who in the name of Nick Punto is signing Adam Frazier to a $4.5-million contract in 2024? Either way, as highlighted by writer Cody Christie in his most recent piece at Twins Daily, most Twins fans are increasingly frustrated by the Royals being as aggressive as the Twins, or even more so. Angst and dread are the ethos of a Minnesota sports fan, so this response is more than fitting, and I get it; I am bitter, too. So, why don't we act like any other rational person would and make Witt Jr.'s extension about ourselves? When scouring the Twins major and minor league rosters, the player who makes the most sense to get a Witt-esque contract is none other than Royce Lewis. Sir, not only do you rake, but you are also worth more money than you are getting paid now. What could an extension look like? Less than what Witt got, but in the same ballpark. Lewis, 24, is only one year older than Witt Jr., and while injuries have plagued the early part of his MLB career, there is reason to suspect he is beyond that unfortunate double blip. Scott Boras represents Lewis, so contract length would be crucial in extension negotiations. Still, I could realistically see the Junipero Serra Catholic High School product netting an eight-year, $190 million contract with player and club options sprinkled in. I doubt Lewis will get a contract extension this offseason, but if he can put together a healthy season while producing at the rate he did in 58 games last season, he could net the richest contract in franchise history. There is no reason to get ahead of ourselves (this is a hypothetical situation, after all), but it is fun to talk about nonetheless. Also, the whole point of the Table Setter is to spark discussion in the comment section. Before I hand the metaphorical mic over to you, some other occurrences occurred on what was a heady day in MLB. Other Pertinent MLB Notes The San Francisco Giants acquired left-handed pitcher Ethan Small from the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations. All offseason, the Giants were swinging around significant cash considerations to prized free agents Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but in the end, their efforts came up small, literally. In response, the Brewers and pitcher Jakob Junis agreed to a one-year, $7-million deal, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Junis pitched for the Giants in 2023 in a hybrid starter/reliever role. Look for recently acquired Anthony DeSclafani to fill a similar role for the Twins this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers traded left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees for 30-year-old relief pitcher Matt Gage and minor-league right-handed pitcher Christian Zazueta. Immediately after, the Dodgers spent the money saved from parting ways with the under-appreciated Ferguson to re-sign reliever Ryan Brasier to a two-year, $9-million contract. Cincinnati native Josh Harrison netted a minor-league deal with his hometown Reds. What are your thoughts on Witt's extension? Should the Twins extend Lewis in response? Does the Giants' acquisition of Small or the Brewers' signing Junis pique your interest? What do you make of the Dodgers flipping Ferguson to the Yankees to re-sign Brasier? Do you have a favorite memory of Harrison as we head toward the conclusion of his MLB career? Join the discussion and comment below. View full article